FRISCO – New Orleans catcher Matt Gonzalez and Northwestern State starter Trent Hillen were named the Southland Baseball Player of the Week awards for the fifth week of the 2025 season, which were announced Monday by the conference office.

Hitter of the Week: Matt Gonzalez, New Orleans - Sr. - C/DH - Manhattan, N.Y. (P27 Academy)
Matt Gonzalez could not be stopped over the weekend at UIW with eye-popping numbers in an undefeated week for the Privateers. The senior went 10-for-16 at the plate with three homers, three doubles, and 11 RBI as the Privateers completed a road sweep at UIW. Gonzalez slugged 1.375 with a .625 on-base percentage and scored eight runs. Two of the homers he hit were grand slams as he led the charge for a Privateer offense that scored 40 runs in 3 games in San Antonio. 

Pitcher of the Week: Trent Hillen - Jr. - RHP - Morgan City, La. (Central Catholic HS)
Trent Hillen spun Northwestern State's first complete-game shutout since 2023, limiting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to four hits while striking out five. Hlllen needed just 100 pitches (70 strikes) to record the Demons' first complete-game shutout in a conference game since April 27, 2019, at Stephen F. Austin. After a bad-hop double to start the game, Hillen did not allow another runner to reach scoring position until there were two outs in the seventh. With the shutout, HIllen has allowed one run in his past 14 innings in SLC play. 

2025 Southland Baseball Players of the Week

Date	Hitter of the Week	Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 17	Ryan Scott, UIW	Brennan Stuprich, Southeastern
Feb. 24	Damian Ruiz, Lamar	Alexis Gravel, McNeese
Mar. 3	Parker Edwards, HCU	Brennan Stuprich, Southeastern
Mar. 10	Parker Edwards, HCU	Cody Templeton, SFA
Mar. 17	Matt Gonzalez, New Orleans	Trent Hillen, Northwestern State

Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.